The Who, the What, and the When

Stories and portraits of sixty-five unsung heroes behind some of history's greatest achievements in the arts, politics, science, and technology.

Explore the secret stories of the individuals behind some of the most legendary figures in the arts, politics, science, and technology in this fascinating compendium of historical fact and biographical trivia. Learn about Michael and Joy Brown, who gifted Harper Lee a year's worth of wages to help her write To Kill a Mockingbird. Meet Thomas A. Watson, the assistant who built the telephone Alexander Graham Bell invented. And read about Sam Shaw, the man whose iconic photographs helped make Marilyn Monroe the enduring legend she is today. Each individual's incredible story is told by a noted historian and illustrated in a sumptuous portrait by one of today's hottest artists. History has never been so captivating or looked so good.


Featuring Artwork By:


Wendy MacNaughton


Samantha Hahn


Laura Callahan


Thomas Doyle


And Text by:


Jessica Lamb-Shapiro


Mark Binelli


Manuel Gonzales


Josh Viertel


and many more . . .

"Sixty-five illustrators and as many writers collaborated for these surprising, fun bios of history's secret sidekicks, including Mrs. Warhola, who inspired her son Andy's fascination with groceries." —mental_floss magazine
"A charmingly illustrated compendium of history's most fascinating—and largely unknown—sidekicks." —Entertainment Weekly